be offensive

To the unsympathetic eye, the hairstyle is peculiar, so childlike and unflattering as to be offensive.

And of course you can swear in any language, and it would still be offensive to some.

If a doctor uses “you” incorrectly with a patient, it could be offensive, Wong said.

DMV records disclosed in the lawsuit illustrate the arbitrary approach officials have taken in denying vanity plates, using terms such as “negative,” “questionable,” “mean,” “evil,” “inappropriate,” “disgusting” and “could be offensive.”

Noting that she “didn’t want to be offensive,” she explained that she said “Asian designer” because “I knew the designer was Asian, but I wasn’t sure what nationality the designer was.”